iStore
Air to Energy
R290 all-in-one with a 3.6 kW output and a full 5-year parts AND labour warranty — the award-winner for busy households.
4.82
COP (270L)
3.6 kW
Heat output
5 yrs P&L
Warranty
R290
Refrigerant
The story
What iStore is actually about
iStore came out of the solar world, and it shows. The hot water range is built to be the cheapest thermal battery in the house — set the two daily timer windows over your solar generation and most of your hot water costs you nothing.
The current line-up runs R290 (propane) natural refrigerant with an external wrap-around condenser coil. The refrigerant never touches your drinking water, and the big contact area is where the fast recovery comes from. The 270L pushes 3.6 kW of heating output where a lot of the market sits at 2.0–2.8 kW, so it holds up better on a cold Melbourne morning with three showers back to back.
It's also the only brand we stock that's been voted number one on ProductReview.com.au five years straight, and the warranty backs that up — 5 years parts and labour on the tank, refrigeration and electrics.
Why people pick it
iStore standouts
5 years parts AND labour
Tank, refrigeration and electrics all covered for 5 years including the service call — most brands only cover parts past year two. Register within 6 weeks of install.
3.6 kW of heating grunt
The 270L recovers faster than the 2.0–2.8 kW units it's usually compared to, which is what you feel on winter mornings and after a bath.
Solar soaking with app control
Two daily timer windows plus Wi-Fi app control on the 270L — schedule it over the middle of the day and it drinks your rooftop solar instead of grid power.
Water-safe wrap-around coil
The condenser wraps the outside of the glass-lined tank rather than sitting in it, so there's no refrigerant-to-water wall to worry about.
The range
iStore models we install in VIC
Prices are installed, with Solar VIC, STC and VEEC rebates already taken off.
Straight talk
Who iStore suits — and who it doesn't
Good fit if…
- Households of 3–6 chasing quick recovery
- Homes with rooftop solar
- Buyers who want labour covered, not just parts
Field pros
- • Full 5-year comprehensive warranty — parts AND labour, not parts only
- • 3.6 kW heating output on the 270L, so it recovers quicker than most 2–2.8 kW units
- • R290 natural refrigerant with a COP around 4.8 at 20°C
- • Wrap-around external condenser — refrigerant never touches your drinking water
Probably not for you if…
- Homes needing the quietest unit going (look at Reclaim)
- Alpine spots that regularly sit below -5°C
- Anyone after a tank bigger than 270 L
Field cons
- • 46.6 dB(A) — mid-pack on noise, so mind the bedroom window
- • Heat pump stops at -5°C ambient before the element steps in
- • Only two sizes, 180 L and 270 L
- • Wi-Fi is on the 270L only; the 180L smart model is still coming
iStore warranty
- 5 years parts and labour on the glass-lined tank
- 5 years parts and labour on refrigeration and electrics
- 1 year on the sacrificial anode, PTR valve and consumables
- Warranty must be registered within 6 weeks of installation
Rebates on iStore in VIC
Every unit we list is approved for all three Victorian incentives. We do the paperwork and take it off the price before you pay — no claiming it back later.
$1,000 standard
Solar VIC
~$700
STCs
~$650
VEECs
Weighing up other brands?
Reckon a iStore is the one?
Send us your setup and we'll come back with a fixed installed price, rebates already deducted — no pushy follow-ups.